"Are you sure that's the Loved One of Space?" Neo questioned.
"How many Loved Ones can be there of a single element at once?"
"I don't know, but I've never heard of there being two or more Loved Ones of an Element together."
His gaze drifted towards the hologram in the sky that showed the execution of the leader of Forgotten Suns, who happened to be Loved One of Space.
Old man Space he called out. Is that the Loved One you wanted me to save?
The silver motes of light materialized around Neo.
Yaleth was surprised to sense the spike of Space Elementals, however he couldn't hear them talk since they were using 'directed' Intent, which sent the voice to their target only.
A grim expression formed on Yaleth's face.
Space Elementals' appearance when Loved One of Space was being executed was hardly a good sign.
Neo didn't console him. He wasn't in a good mood either.
'Can I rescue that guy?' he thought to himself. 'This whole planet must have a lot of defenses today to make sure execution goes smoothly.'
Neo took a deep breath.
No matter how he saw it, he didn't see a single way he could succeed.
'Space saved me when I was in danger.'
'I can't just back out from here now that it's my turn to complete my side of the deal.'
He summoned Obitus and was about to take a step when suddenly Space Elementals spoke,
Going to rescue the Loved One
Neo heard Death, Holy, Life, and many more Elementals sigh along with Space.
Space Elementals sighed again as it continued.
We thought you had learned something from the previous ordeals, but perhaps it was our vanity to expect you would no longer be reckless.
The Space Elementals stared at Neo.
Tell me, Hargraves. How did you think you would save my Loved One in this condition?
That doesn't matter. What matters is I gave my word-
Neo could swear the Space Elementals were shaking his head at him.
We are not merciless, Hargraves. We would never ask you to save our Loved One in a situation where it was impossible for you.
Right now, you do not need to do anything. He will be rescued by someone else. I need you to help him later.
With that, the Elementals disappeared.
Neo heard a sound through the hologram from the alien who stood behind the Loved One of Space.
The alien, Zara'tel, was tall—almost insectoid in build, yet regal.
His elongated limbs were armored in glistening exoskeletal plates that shimmered like polished obsidian.
His face was narrow and triangular, with six small eyes arranged in two neat rows, each glowing faintly violet.
Bioluminescent tattoos pulsed across his chitinous skin, glowing in tandem with his voice.
"My people," Zara'tel's voice boomed, rich with otherworldly cadence. "The war ends today! Before you stands a heretic who has repeatedly defied the Sacred Principles of the Heavenly Accord! Today, we bring judgment upon him, and justice to our stars!"
The words rang like bells across the city—amplified by unknown magic or technology.
The crowd erupted in cheers.
A wave of electric excitement surged through the alien masses gathered around the execution platform.
They were as diverse as the galaxies—scaled beings with molten eyes, ethereal forms cloaked in gas and nebula-like tendrils, others with bark-like flesh and glowing gemstone hearts.
Their cheers echoed like a storm across metal and stone, eyes turned skyward in worship of Zara'tel's proclamation.
But all Neo felt was dread.
"We need to move," he told Yaleth. "Let's teleport back quickly."
"Huh? Why are you in a hurry?"
"Someone is coming to rescue that guy. That means there would be enough force to fight the soldiers stationed here. There will be collateral damage, and people like us who are only Stage-3 will be the first to get crushed."
"How do you even know—"
The Outer God realized something was wrong when he saw Neo's serious expression.
Neo himself was not moving just because of Space Elementals' warnings.
It was because of the Death he could sense.
Everyone around him would die in the next 15 seconds.
Neo and Yaleth were no exception. A heavy amount of Death, only visible to Neo, had descended on the planet.
"This platform is the entrance portal to the planet. We need to move to anoth—"
A shadow fell over them.
Yaleth's words were swallowed by the sudden appearance of a colossal warship in the sky.
It manifested suddenly while the very fabric of space bent and snapped around it.
The ship was titanic, almost like a moving star-galaxy, forged of black-gold alloys that shimmered with cosmic inscriptions.
Its front was shaped like a spearhead, the sides like folded wings, and its surface burned with silent lightning.
Dozens of towers and cannons dotted its hull—yet none moved.
A deep pulse rippled out.
The defense systems of the planet that had begun to lock on suddenly went dark. Like candles snuffed out.
An impossible absence of sound was created.
Even the crowd, even the wind—everything was still.
The ship's rear hatch opened.
From it, a figure stepped forward, standing at the edge of the ramp. He didn't float or descend. He simply looked down on them.
His hair flowed behind him like sunlight, eyes like twin stars burning in a calm, unshakable sky.
He wore a layered robe of white and royal blue, trimmed in gold, with a dark celestial mantle draped from his shoulders that looked stitched from constellations.
Armored gauntlets framed his hands, and thunder danced at his heels. Every movement of his radiated control.
Neo's expression turned grim.
He had never seen the man before.
"God Killer Zeus," a voice whispered from the platform.
It was the Executioner of the Loved One of Space. He didn't shout, but everyone heard him. The entire planet seemed to lean toward that voice.
"Why have you come to my world?"